The Iowa women’s basketball team (7-0) defeated both of its opponents Nov. 25-26 to win the Caribbean Challenge in Cancún, Mexico. On Thanksgiving Day, Iowa mounted a comeback against James Madison to win, 67-61, then thrashed Virginia Tech the following night, 72-43.

Head coach Lisa Bluder is excited about her team’s undefeated start.

"We shot the ball better [against Virginia Tech], and that was really good to see," the 11-year head coach said. "We shot the ball better from 3-point range, we shot better from the free-throw line, and we [rebounded] really well."

Against Virginia Tech, sophomore Jaime Printy led all scorers with 15 points. Junior point guard Kamille Wahlin added 10 points and four assists.

Senior Kachine Alexander led Iowa’s comeback effort to defeat James Madison, posting 18 points.

Junior Kelly Krei recorded eight points and two steals. The Hawkeyes overcame a 10-point deficit in part by making 15-of-16 attempts from the free-throw line in the second half.

For the Hawkeyes, this is their best start under Bluder since the 2004-05 campaign.

A top-25 matchup looms for Bluder’s Bunch this week — No. 20 Iowa will face No. 14 North Carolina (6-0) in Chapel Hill as part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Thursday.

— by Matt Cozzi